Arab League: Protection of civilians in Libya is priority

Libyan authorities announced an earlier ceasefire on Friday, following the passing of a UN resolution authorising international action against the country.

Attacks on anti-government forces were reported to have continued.

Hussein Hassouna, the Arab League's ambassador to the United States, told the BBC that "the official objective of the resolution was the protection of civilians", and that the Arab League did not want to see the bombardment of the Libyan people although it backed the no-fly zone.